The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), in its role as the designated Data Protection Authority, has successfully concluded this year’s Data Privacy Week, marked by public awareness activities, stakeholder engagement, and a national conference aimed at promoting responsible handling of personal data in Malawi.
The week commenced with a Big Walk in Lilongwe, officially opened by MACRA Acting Director General Mayamiko Nkoloma, who emphasized the importance of data protection and the need for individuals to understand and exercise their privacy rights. The opening activities also included interactive sessions with students from Mkwichi Secondary School and Lilongwe Academy, highlighting the importance of instilling data privacy awareness among young people.
The main conference was officially opened by the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Dr. Shadric Namalombwa, MP, who described data as a strategic national asset that can drive service delivery and economic growth when handled ethically and responsibly.
Speaking during the conference, MACRA leadership reaffirmed that the Data Protection Act, 2024 makes privacy a shared responsibility for institutions, organisations, and all digital users. Participants were urged to embrace lawful, minimal, accurate, and secure processing of personal data, while fostering a strong culture of compliance.
The conference featured sector-specific discussions under the theme “From Legal Obligation to Organisational Culture: Making Data Protection Work in Practice”, covering issues such as data audits, information sharing, breach management, accountability, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
MACRA’s Head of Data Protection, Daniel Chiwoni, encouraged organisations to collect only necessary data, implement appropriate safeguards, and ensure AI systems comply with national data protection laws.
The event concluded with a presentation by MwCERT, led by Head of MwCERT Charles Fodya, who addressed online privacy risks, cyberbullying, and the importance of safeguarding personal information, particularly for children and young people.
Through initiatives such as the Digital Ambassadors Programme, MACRA continues to promote digital literacy, online safety, and awareness of data rights among citizens.
Data Privacy Week ended with a strong call to action: data protection is everyone’s responsibility, and together Malawi can build a safer, trusted digital future.
